Last positioning and holding means



Dec. 2, 1941. L. E. TOPHAM LAST POSITIONING AND HOLDING MEANS 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 1, 1939 'iined's M W" 2, 1941- E. TOPHAM LASTPOSITIONING AND HOLDING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l I I l I I 1941- L. E.TOPHAM 2,264,41

LAST POSITIONING AND HOLDING MEANS Filed Feb. 1, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Wiiness Patented Dec. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES F F YI'CJE.UnitedzShoeiMachiner Corporation, Borough of =Flemington, -N.- J a.-corporation of rNew Jersey Application February 1, 1939; Serial No.254,058

The present invention relates to machines,used in the manufacture ofshoes, which are provided with instmmentalities for operating on the,shoe parts while supported uponalast, andmoregparticularly to the lastpositioning andsupporting means of such machines.

An object of the invention is to provide simple and eflicient means bywhich anyone of a pmrality of shoe. supporting lasts of 'difierent sizesmay be readily located accurately in a shoe making machine with a givenportion of the last. in predetermined positional relation to themachine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient.means by which thefabove mentioned result may be accomplished withoutengaging the shoe upper or other parts of the shoe. supported on thelast.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe machine comprisinga shoe supporting jack and mechanism for moving -.the jack to transferthe point of operation along themargin of a shoe supported on the jackwith improved means for supporting a last on the jack-and for efiectinga relative adjustmentof' the, jack and the jack moving mechanism forlasts of different sizes.

Other objects of the invention are to provide novel and eificient lastholding .and positioning means, particularly adapted for use with. hingelasts or other lasts having similar V-shaped notches accessible throughthe ankle. opening of a shoe on the last.

With thev above objects .in View, .a feature of the present inventioncontemplates the provision in a shoe machine of a last support adaptedto extend through the ankle opening of ashoe on the last into engagementwitha positioning surface on the last, and means whereby anadjustment ofthe supportin the machine predetermined, by the location of the,positioning surface on the last may bemade to bring thela'stand themachine into a predetermined positional relation, regardless of th sizeof the last. Ashereindisclosed, the last supportis a wedgeeshaped.memher, the surfaces of which engage the V-.shaped notch of a hingedlast and locate the lastaccurately with respect to the support while.holding it firmly in place.

In shoe machines to which the present invention relates, some portion.of the last, as for instance the toe, is located in thesame position inthe machine, regardless of the size of 'the last. Ash'ereindisclosed,the means above referred to whereby an adjustment of thesu'pportiin themachine may be effected is arranged to secure this result. To this endasecond memberisprovided arranged to extend through the ankleopening ofthe shoe on the last and engage a 'surfaceon the last at a distance'fro'mithe v-' shaped opening varying with the size of the last. Thismember and the wedged-shaped. support are'relatively movable to .permitengagement with lasts 'of different sizes, and this relative movement isutilized, to locate the last in the desired position. In the illustratedconstruction, a last pin toengage the pin'holeof'the last is utilized asthe-last engaging member to cooperate with the-wedge-shaped support indeterminingthe position of the last in the machine.

Last supportingand locating :devices embodyingthe present invention areadapted. for use with aseries of lasts havingpositioning surfaces formedon the lasts in, predetermined relation to certain characteristics; ofthe last, and a feature of the present invention contemplates theprovision of a series of lasts having positioning surfaces-formed inthis-mannerand arranged so as tobe engaged by a, last positioning andsupporting memberextending, throughthe ankle opening of the last. In thepresent instancethej v shaped notch is utilized in-positioning and.supporti'ngthe lastand, accordingly, a surface of the notch in each lastis formed in,pre.determined relation to certain dimensions or elementsof the last, the dimension and elements chosen in the presentinstancebeing the length of the last. as measured on a line paralleltothe turning axis of the last from the tip of the toe of the last totheheel end of the heel seat of thelast, and the longitudinal axisaboutwhich the last was rotated'in' the last turning lathe. In theillustrated embodiment of the invention, a surface of the 'v-ashaped'notch in each last is locatedqat the same angle to the turning .axis ofthe last and at adistance. fromthe toe end of theilast havingapredetermined relation to the length of the 'lastmeasured as aboveindicated. Conveniently, this positioning surface of the V- shaped notchis located in each last vatrright angles to the turning axis of thelastv and .at a distance from the toe end of the last equal to a littleless than seven-elevenths of the length of the last.

As'has beenstated, in the illustrated embodi ment of the invention, alast pin entering the pin 'holeof the last. cooperates withfthewedgeshaped member to locate the last in the machine. To provide arelativemovement of the last pin and. wedge-shaped member to, properlylocate in the machine lasts of different sizes, the pin holes in thelasts are formed at distances from the positioning surface of theV-shaped notch varying with the size of the lasts. Conveniently this isaccomplished by boring the pin hole always at the same uniform distancefrom the heel end of the heel seat of the last regardless of the size ofthe last.

In embodying the present invention in a shoe machine provided with ashoe supporting jack and. mechanism for moving the jack to transfer 2the point of operation along the margin of a shoe supported on the jack,the wedge-shaped member has been fixed on the jack, and connectionsactuated by the movement of the last pin towards and from thewedge-shaped support. have been provided for effecting a relativeadjustment of the jack and its actuating mechanism.

In addition to the features of invention above referred to, a novelfeature of the construction hereinafter described is a means formounting the last pin so as to permit it to align itself with the pinhole in any one of a series of lasts regardless of variations in theposition, angular or otherwise, of the pin hole with relation to thepositioning surface or surfaces of the V-shaped notch. Also inconnection with the wedgeshaped. support to enter the V-shaped notch ofa last, a novel means has been provided for clamping the last firmly onthe support.

Features of the present invention also consist in certain novelconstructions and arrangements of parts hereinafter described andclaimed, the advantages of which will be obvious to those skilled in theart from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of so much of anautomatic shoe making machine as is necessary to show the connection ofthe present invention therewith; Fig. 2 is a detail View showing in sideelevation the shoe supporting jack of the machine with the lastpositioning and supporting devices mounted thereon; Fig. 3 is a planview of the parts illustrated in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a detail perspectiveview of the wedge shaped member which enters the V-shaped notch of thelast and also showing, above thewedge-shaped member, the plate and pivotpin constituting the hinge connection between the heel and forepartportions of a hinged last; and Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of thewedge-shaped member with a last thereon, together with the devices forholding the last firmly on said member.

The machine, portions of which are illustrated in Fig. 1, is anautomatic shoe making machine, such for instance, as the automaticinseam sewing machine disclosed in the patent to Topham and Morrill No.1,616,714 dated February 8, 1927. In automatic machines of this type,the shoe being operated upon is supported in a jack, indicated at 6,which is moved during the operation on the shoe to transfer the point ofoperation of the devices operating on the shoe, for instance, the needleof the illustrated machine, indicated at 8, along the margin of theshoe. To move the jack and control its position at all times during theoperation, mechanisms actuated from a pattern cam shaft are provided.This pattern cam shaft, together with the mechanism actuated thereby formoving the jack to transfer the point of operation along the margin ofthe shoe, are illustrated in Fig. 1, the other mechanisms being omittedto simplify the illustration and description and being the same in allessential particulars as the mechanisms fully illustrated and describedin the patent above referred. to. The

pattern cam shaft is indicated in Fig. 1 at H), and the cam for movingthe jack to transfer the point of operation along the margin of theshoe, or feed cam, is indicated at l2. The connections between the caml2 and the jack 6 are the same as in the machine of the patent, andcomprise a cam lever 14, a lever I6 pivoted at one end on the machineframe and connected at the other end to the cam lever [4 by a link [8, aswinging link or radius arm 20, a link H connecting the lever IS withthe forward end of the arm 20, an adjustable pivotally mounted support24 on which the radius arm 20 is mounted at its rear end, a feed arm 26,a link 23 connecting the link 22 with the feed arm and a link 30connecting theforward end of the feed arm 26 with the toe end of thejack 6. The connections between the cam and the jack are adjustable via?for the size of shoe being operated upon in the same manner as in themachine of the patent, a link or bar 32 connected to the support 24being mounted to slide in a block 34 pivoted on the machine frame, andlocking dogs 36 on a cross head 38, actuated by a'rod 40, being providedfor locking the rod 32 against movement when the machine is started intooperation. The adjustment of these connections is accomplished by amovement of the jack to starting position by the operator prior tothrowing the machine into operation, at which time the dogs 36 are outof locking engagement with the bar 32, so that a movement of the support24 is permitted to change the position of the pivot of the radius arm20, movement being imparted to the support 24 through the link 30, feedarm 25, links 28 and 22, and radius arm 20, as the jack is moved.

It is necessary, in machines of the type illustrated in Fig. 1, that thetoe of the shoe, regardless of size, be located in the same position inthe machine with relation to the mechanisms for actuating andcontrolling the jack. Heretofore this result has been accomplished by anadjustment of the shoe on the jack to bring the toe of the shoe againsta toe rest having a fixed position on the jack. In embodying the severalfeatures of the present invention in a machine of the type illustratedin Fig. 1, a wedge-shaped last positioning and supporting member ismounted on the jack, and is constructed and arranged to extend throughthe ankle opening of a shoe on a last and engage a V-shaped notch in thelast. This member is indicated at 42 and is rigidly secured or formedintegrally with the jack frame. The illustrated last which the member 42is adapted to position and support is a hinged last of well-knownconstruction, except as to features hereinafter described, the openingbetween the heel and forepart portions of which is in the form of aV-shaped notch having surfaces adapted to be engaged by the front andrear surfaces of the wedge-shaped member 42. The wedge-shaped memberaccurately fits the V-shaped notch of the last, and thus the last isaccurately and firmly supported on the jack without the use of a toerest or any other devices engaging the shoe upper or other parts of theshoe on the last.

Since the V-shaped notches of lasts of different sizes are located atdifferent distances from the ends of the last, it is necessary, if thetoe ends of all lasts are to occupy the same position with relation tothe jack actuating mechanism, to provide for a relative adjustment ofthe support 42 and the actuating mechanism. In the illustratedconstruction, this relative adjustment "300i the jack moving mechanism.The-last pin is indicated at 44 and is rigidly secured to, or formedintegrally with, the forwardend'of- 'a link 16 which is movablysupported by links 48 and 50 pivotally connected respectively to-theforward and rear 'ends'of the link 4.6. Thelower end of the link 443 ispivotally mounted in the jack frame adjacent and to-the rear of thelastsupport, and'the lower end of the linkW'is pivoted on an arm 52 faston a rock shaft E l-mounted in thereanportionof the 'jack'framathearrangement being such that abodily movement of the last pin 4ispermitted towards and from the'last support l! without changing theangular relation of the pin'andsupport longitudinally of the last.

Ball and socket joints are provided at both ends of the link and attheupper end of the link 59 and thus a rocking movement of thelink 46 ispermitted to allow the last pin to align itself with the pin hole in thelast, regardless of "variations the angular position of the holetransversely of the last.

The socket connecting thetoe end of the jack with the link 30 ofthe jackmoving vmechanism is 'indicated atfifi. This socket, instead of having afixed relation to the jack, as in prior constructions, is formed uponthe frontend of -a bar fiii'mounted on the jack so as to be capable of alongitudinal adjustment thereon and thus a relative adjustment of thejack and its actuating mechanism, and consequently a'relative adjustmentof the'wedge-shaped support and the jack actuating mechanism,'may beeffected'by a relative movement of the jack and the bar 58. The bar '58is supported on the jack bya pin 60 at the front end of the jack,carrying a roll which engages a curved longitudinal slot 62 in the bar,and by an arm '64 fast on the shaft 54 to the lower end of which arm therear end of the bar 53 is pivotally connected. With'the constructionillustrated and above described, a movement of the last pin 44 to bringit into alignment with the pin hole of a last being placed up'on thewedge-shaped support 42 will move the bar 58 on the jack, or in case thesocket 56-is held from movement by reason of its connection with thejack actuating mechanism, will move the jack with relation to the bar,so as to bring the socket-56 and the toe end of the last which has beenplaced on the jack into substantially Vertical alignment.

The last supporting and locating devices herein illustrated anddescribed are particularly adapted for use in connection with lastshaving the positioning surfaces of the V-shaped notches and the last pinholes formed in predetermined relation to certain characteristics of thelast whereby an accurate predetermined positioning of the shoe in themachine is effected, regardless of the size of'the shoe, by simplyplacing the lasted shoe on the jack with the wedge-shaped supportentering the 'Vshaped notch and with the last pin entering the pin holeof thelast. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, two lasts of'different sizes areillustrated-as representative'of'a series of lasts one being showninfull lines and the other in dot-and-dash lines. The lasts illustratedare the same in style, differing from eachother only in size. In theselasts, the dimensions vary' from a center, which maybe called thegrading center, located at the intersection of longitudinal andtransverse axes common to all the lasts,-one of-these axes being thelongitudinal turning axis of the'last and the other being thetransve'rseaxis extending substantially parallel to the-bottom of the toe portionof the last coinci'dent with theax-is -of thehinge'pivot. It'wi'll beobvious that if-these axes 'are'always broughtinto the same relationwith the Wedge-shaped support, thelasts will'b'e located-in the sameangular relation-tothe supportin 'all directions. To secure this result,the surfaces of the heel and forepart forming-the V-shaped notch havethe same position in all of the lasts'withrelationto these axes, beingarranged at the same predetermined angle with relation to thelongitudinal turning axis of the last "and converging towards the samepoint Ewith relation to the transverse axis. In the illustratedconstruction, the positioning surfaceon the forepart of the last-is atrightangles to the longitudinalxaxis. Also the surfa'oesof the "vshapednotcnextend always at the same angle with relation to each otherso "that the wedge-shaped support '42. fits accurately into" the notchof each'last. 'By providing a series'of' lasts having thefeatures so fardescribed, any'last of the'series will be accurately positioned on thejack by merely :placing the last on the wedgeshaped support. Thesefeatures also make possible the automatic relative adjustmenthereinbefore described of the jack, and its'actuating mechanism,to bringthe toe ofalllasts, regardless of size, into the same position withrelation to the jack "actuating mechanism. Ashas' been described, theaxis of the hingepivot in all lasts passes through the grading center of'the "last. This axis is, therefore, always located ata distancefifromthe toe end of the last proportional to the length of the last. "Also,as hasbeen described, the surfaces of the V-shaped notchhave the sameposition inall of the lasts with relation 'to this axis. "Thepositioning surfaces of the V-shaped notch'are, therefore, always-at apredetermined distance from the toe end of the last, the surface on theforepart, for instance, being 'atthe same distance fromt'he toe-e'nd'ofthe last as the "axis of the hinge pivot'p'l'us a small constant. In theconstruction illustrated, the axis of the hinge pivot is located atadistance from the toe end of the last equal to sevenelevenths of thelength of the last, as measured on a line parallel'to the turning axisof the last from the tip of the toe of the last-to the heel end ofthe-heel seat of the last. With thepositioning surfaces -'of"theV-shaped notch arranged in this manner, a movement ofthelast pin towardsor from-the supportfl varying with'the size of the las'twillproduce-the-desired relative adjustmentbf the jack and the socket- '56of the jack moving mechanism. In order "that this movement may vary ina' predetermined Y manner with thesize of the last, the pin holes inthelasts are all drilled at the sa'meuniform distance from the heelendof theheel seat of the last.

In the illustrated machine the jack is pivotally mounted at its lowerend upon a supporting frame'fifi, and as the jack is actuatedto transferthe point of operation along the margin of the shoe, the jack movesaboutthispivot. Accordingly, in the illustrated construction theconnections between the last pin 44 and the socket 56 of the jackmovingmechanism are-proportioned and arranged to effect a relative "adjustmentof the jack and socket sufficient to locate the toe of'alllas'tson aradial line "extending from the pivot of the jack through the socket.The locations of these radial lines with relation to the jack, for lastsof different sizes are indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2 extendingdownwardly from the toe ends of the lasts through the socket 56.

The last illustrated in the drawings, except for the location of thepositioning surfaces of the V-shaped notch and the location of the pinhole, is of well-known construction. The hinge connection between theheel and forepart comprises the hinge plate 68 extending longitudinallyof the last across the V-shaped notch. To receive this plate, a slot Tilis formed in the wedgeshaped supporting member 42, and a devicecooperating with the plate is mounted in the wedge-shaped member to holdthe last firmly in place. This device is indicated at 12 and comprises abar, the upper end of which extends with the wedge-shaped member intothe V- shaped notch and is provided with a shoulder in the form of ahook 14 arranged to engage a cooperating shoulder formed by a hole 16 inthe plate 68. The lower end of the bar 12 surrounds an eccentric on ashaft 18 with which it is held frictionally in engagement by a clampingscrew 80. tion of the wedge-shaped member 42 and is provided with anoperating handle 82. The construction is such that a rotation of theshaft 18 in a clockwise direction from the position indicated in Fig.swings the bar 12 out of engagement with the hinge plate 68, due to thefrictional engagement of the lower end of the bar with the eccentric,and then moves it upwardly, after which a rotation of the shaft in acounter-clockwise direction swings the bar 12 into engagement with theplate 68 of a last placed on the support 12 and then moves it downwardlyin a direction normal to the bottom of the last to force the last ontothe support. When the bar 12 is in its lowest position, the eccentric onthe shaft 18 is on dead center and consequently the bar is securelylocked against any return movement.

The method of making a series of lasts of different sizes hereindisclosed forms the subjectmatter of a divisional application filedMarch 3, 1941, Serial No. 381,493.

The nature and scope of the invention having been indicated, and aparticular embodiment of the invention having been specificallydescribed, what is claimed is:

1. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa last support to engage a last through the ankle opening of a shoethereon, said support having last positioning surfaces to engage andaccurately fit cooperating surfaces on any one of a plurality of lastsand locate the last in a definite fixed predetermined position withrelation to the support, and means cooperating with said support andwith another surface on the last for making an adjustment of the supportwith the last thus located thereon predetermined by the location of saidcooperating surfaces on the last to effect a predetermined positionalrelation between each The shaft 78 is journaled in the lower porminedposition with relation to the support, and means cooperating with saidsupport and with another surface on the last for making an adjustment ofthe support to effect a predetermined positional relation between eachlast and the machine.

3. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa wedge-shaped last positioning and supporting member arranged to extendthrough an ankle opening of a shoe on a last and to engage andaccurately fit a V-shaped notch in any one of a plurality of lasts andlocate the last in a definite fixed predetermined position with relationto the support, and means cooperating with said support and with anothersurface on the last for making an adjustment of the supportpredetermined by the location of the V-shaped notch in the last toeffect a predetermined positional relation between each last and themachine.

4. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa last support to engage a last through the ankle opening of a shoethereon, said support having a last positioning surface to engage acooperating surface on any one of a plurality of lasts, and a memberarranged to extend through the ankle opening of the shoe and to engageanother surface of the last, said support and member being movable withrelation to each other to accommodate different lasts, and means forutilizing said relative movement to effect a predetermined positionalrelation between each last and the machine.

5. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa last support to engage a last through the ankle opening of a shoethereon, said support having a last positioning surface to engage acooperating surface on any one of a plurality of lasts, a memberarranged to extend through the ankle opening of the shoe and to engageanother surface of the last located at a distance from the positioningsurface varying with the size of the last, said support and member beingrelatively movable to accommodate different sizes of lasts, and meansfor utilizing said relative movement to bring each last into apredetermined position in the machine.

6. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa last support to engage a last through the ankle opening of a shoethereon, said support having a last positioning surface to engage acooperating surface on any one of a plurality of lasts, a memberarranged to extend through the ankle opening of the shoe and to engageanother surface of the last located at a distance from the positioningsurface varying with the size of the last, said support and member beingrelatively movable to accommodate diiferent sizes of lasts, and meansfor utilizing said relative movement to effect a predeterminedpositional relation between each last and the machine.

7. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa wedge-shaped last positioning and supporting member arranged to extendthrough the ankle opening of a shoe on a last and to engage andaccurately fit a V- shaped notch in any one of a plurality of lasts andlocate the last in a definite fixed predetermined position with relationto the support, and a last pin to enter the pin hole in the last movablymounted with relation to the wedge-shaped support to permit alignmentwith the pin hole regardless of variations in the position of the pinhole with relation to theV-shaped notch.

8. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, the combination ofa wedge-shaped last positioning and supporting member arranged to extendthrough the ankle opening of a shoe on a last and to engage andaccurately fit a V-shaped notch in any one of a plurality of lasts andlocate the last in a definite fixed predetermined position with relationto the support, and a last pin to enter the pin hole in the last, saidsupport and last pin being relatively movable to accommodate differentlasts, and means for utilizing said relative movement to effect apredetermined positional relation between each last and the machine.

9. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes comprising devicesfor performing an operation on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack andmechanism for moving the jack to transfer the point of operation alongthe margin of a shoe supported on the jack, the combination of a lastsupporting and positioning member on the jack extending through theankle opening of the shoe, a last pin mounted on the jack movabletowards and from the last support, and connections actuated by themovement of the last pin to adjust the jack with relation to the jackmoving mechanism.

10. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes comprising devicesfor performing an operation on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack andmechanism for moving the jack to transfer the point of operation alongthe margin of a shoe supported on the jack, the combination of a lastsupporting and positioning member on the jack extending through theankle opening of the shoe, a last pin mounted on the jack movabletowards and from the last support, and connections actuated by themovement of the last pin to effect a relative adjustment of the jack andthe jack moving mechanism.

11. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes comprising devicesfor performing an operation on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack andmechanism for moving the jack to transfer the point of operation alongthe margin of a shoe supported on the jack, including a link connectedto the toe end of the jack, the combination of a last supporting andpositioning member on the jack extending through the ankle opening ofthe shoe, a last pin mounted on the jack movable towards and from thelast support, and connections actuated by the movement of the last pinto effect a relative adjustment of the jack and link to locate the toeof all shoes, regardless of size, in the same predetermined positionwith relation to the point of connection of the link with the jack.

12. A machine for use in the manufacture of shoes comprising devices forperforming an operation on a shoe, a pivotally mounted shoe supportingjack and mechanism for moving the jack about its pivot to transfer thepoint of operation along the margin of a shoe supported on the jackincluding a link connected to the toe end of the jack, the combinationof a last supporting and positioning member on the jack extendingthrough the ankle opening of the shoe, a last pin mounted on the jackmovable towards and from the last support, and connections actuated bythe movement of the last pin to effect a relative adjustment of the jackand link to locate the toe of all shoes, regardless of size, on a radialline extending from the pivot of the jack through the point ofconnection of the link with the jack.

13. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, last positioningand supporting means comprising a wedge-shaped member extending throughthe ankle opening of a shoe on the last and fitting into a V-shapednotch in the last, and means for forcing the last against thewedgeshaped member comprising a bar extending with said member into theV-shaped notch, and provided with a shouldered end arranged to engage acooperating shoulder on the last, an eccentric on which the other end ofthe bar is frictionally mounted, and means for rotating the eccentric toswing the bar to bring said shoulders into engagement and thereafterimpart a movement to the bar in a direction normal to the bottom of thelast and lock the bar against return movement.

14. In a machine for use in the manufacture of shoes, last positioningand supporting means comprising a wedge-shaped member extending throughthe ankle opening of a shoe on the last and fitting into a V-shapednotch in the last,

r and means for forcing the last against the wedge-shaped membercomprising an oscillatable and longitudinally movable bar extending withsaid member into the V-shaped notch and provided with a shouldered endarranged to engage a cooperating shoulder on the last, and means foroscillating the bar to bring said shoulders into engagement and forimparting a longitudinal movement to the bar in a direction normal tothe bottom of the last.

LAURENCE E. TOPHAM,

